Supporting means for basketball goal nets



1949 J. H. CUNNINGHAM SUPPORTING MEANS FOR BASKETBALL GOAL NETS Filed May 13, 1946 Patented Nov. 22, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SUPPORTING MEANS FOR BASKETBALL GOAL NETS John H. Cunningham, Blacksburg, Va.

Application May 13, 1946, Serial No. 669,338

1 Claim. 1

This invention relates to basketball net holders.

An object of this invention is to provide an improved means for suspendingly supporting the net of a basketball goal.

At the present time in basketball goals, the net has the ring extended through the upper loops of the net, and it is not a simple matter to put on a new net. It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide an improved ring which is formed with spring-pressed coupling or securing members for detachably securing the net to the ring in a manner whereby neither the net nor the ring and fastening members will be damaged from contact with the ball.

Another object of this invention is to provide in combination, a supporting ring, and means depending from the ring for suspending the net therefrom.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved net supporting means which includes a ring, studs extending from the lower side of said ring, and spring-pressed securing means carried by said studs for detachably holding the net with the upper end of the net spaced from the supporting means or ring.

With the above and other objects in view, my invention consists in the arrangement, combination and details of construction disclosed in the drawings and specification, and then more particularly pointed on in the appended claim.

In the drawings, wherein similar reference characters designate similar parts throughout the respective views,

Figure 1 is a bottom plan view, partly broken away, of a basketball goal ring constructed according to an embodiment of this invention,

Figure 2 is a fragmentary front elevation of the ring,

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3--3 of Figure 2,

Figure 4 is a fragmentary end elevation of one of the net supporting members.

Referring to the drawing, the normal I designates generally a basketball goal ring which is supported by supporting means II of conventional construction. The ring I0 is supported in a horizontal position from a suitable support, and has depending from the lower side thereof a net. The ring It has fixed to the lower side thereof a plurality of depending studs I2 adjacent the lower ends thereof formed with openings I3 and with flaring slots I4 extending from the openings I3.

The openings I3 are adapted to receive the upper strand I5 of the net which is inserted in the openings I3 through the flaring slots I4. In

order to provide for locking the strand IS in the openings I3, I have provided a slidable locking ring generally designated as I6. The ring I6 is of elongated configuration, having a round opening I'l extending vertically therethrough and the ring I6 at the opposite ends thereof is formed with downwardly opening slots I8. The strand I5 is adapted to engage the slots I8 as shown in Figure 4. Each stud I2 has fixed adjacent the lower end thereof a bead or rib I9 against which the locking ring I6 is adapted to engage when in locking position. A spring 20 is mounted on each stud I2 bearing at the lower end against locking member I6 and at the upper end against the lower side of support ring I0.

In order to provide for holding the locking member I6 against rotation on the stud I2, the stud I2 is formed with a flat surface 2I and the locking member I6 is formed with a complementary flat internal surface 22. The lower edge of the locking member I6 is beveled as at 23, as shown more clearly in Figures 2 and 4.

In order to mount the net on the supporting ring I 0, each locking member I6 is moved upwardly thereby exposing the entrance slot I 4. The upper strand I5 of the net is then pushed through slot I4 and disposed in the opening I3 The locking member I6 may then be released whereupon the spring 20 will move the lockin member I6 downwardly to its normal locking position.

With a goal construction as hereinbefore described, it is a very simple matter to replace broken nets which can be replaced without the use of any tools. Furthermore, by having the upper strand of the net positioned below supporting ring III, the upper strand of the net will not contact with the ball and will not be injured thereby. This device will, therefore, provide for increased use of the net in addition to providing for quick and easy replacement of any broken net.

I do not mean to confine myself to the exact details of construction herein disclosed but claim all variations falling within the purview of the appended claim.

What I claim is:

A basket ball net supporting means comprising a ring, a plurality of depending studs carried by said ring on the lower side thereof, each of said studs adjacent the bottom end being formed with a lateral opening therethrough and a horizontal outwardly opening entrance slot communicating at the inner end thereof with said opening, a locking ring slidable on said stud, intar-engaging flat surfaces formed on said stud and said locking ring for restraining the latter against rotation relative to said stud, a pair of opposed downwardly openin slots formed in said locking ring adapted to communicate with the opposite ends of said lateral opening in one position of said locking ring, an outwardly extending flange formed on the bottom of said stud adapted to limit the downward movement of .said locking ring, and a coil spring engaging about the upper portion of said stud and having the bottom end thereof abutting the top edge of said locking ring and the top end thereof bearing against said first named ring for constantly urging said locking ring downwardly whereby when said locking ring is raised against the force of said spring, an upper strand of a goal net can be disposed in said lateral opening through said entrance slot; and

when said locking ring is allowed to return to its normal position, said locking ring slots will receive the strand so as to retain the strand in said lateral opening.

JOHN H. CUNNINGHAM.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the 10 .file of patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

